Seven days is enough to see a remarkable amount of Morocco: the Sahara dunes, the medieval medina of Fes, the blue town of Chefchaouen and the Atlantic cities. It is also easy to try to see too much. Here is a proven route from Marrakech, day by day, followed by two alternatives for travellers who prefer a slower pace or shorter drives.
The classic 7-day loop from Marrakech
This is the route of our 7-day Morocco tour, starting and ending in Marrakech.
- Day 1: Marrakech to the Dades Valley. Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and continue to the Dades Valley.
- Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga. Walk in the Todra Gorge in the morning, then drive to Merzouga. Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and a night in a desert camp.
- Day 3: Merzouga to Fes. Sunrise over the dunes, then drive north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests near Ifrane to Fes.
- Day 4: Fes. A day in the medina of Fes el-Bali with a local guide: madrasas, souks, craft quarters and the tanneries.
- Day 5: Fes to Chefchaouen via Volubilis. Visit the Roman site of Volubilis, then continue to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
- Day 6: Chefchaouen to Rabat. A morning in the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, then drive to Rabat for the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower.
- Day 7: Rabat to Marrakech via Casablanca. Stop at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, then drive back to Marrakech.
Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to see the desert and the great cities in one week. The trade-off: several long driving days. The route and the number of nights in each place can be changed, and it can also start in Casablanca or Fes.
Alternative 1: desert and Marrakech, at a gentler pace
- Days 1 to 4: the 4-day Merzouga and Draa Valley tour, with shorter driving days, a night in the dunes and a return through the palm groves of the Draa Valley.
- Day 5: rest day and a guided tour of the Marrakech medina.
- Day 6: a day trip to Imlil and the High Atlas.
- Day 7: the Agafay Desert at sunset before your departure.
Ideal for families and for travellers who want the Sahara without spending every day in the car.
Alternative 2: no long drives, based in Marrakech
If you would rather keep the same hotel all week, Marrakech is an excellent base for day trips:
- Day 1: arrival and the Agafay Desert at sunset (about 45 minutes away).
- Day 2: Marrakech medina with a local guide.
- Day 3: Imlil and the High Atlas (about 1h30 away).
- Day 4: Essaouira on the Atlantic coast (about 3 hours away).
- Day 5: free day in Marrakech.
- Day 6: the Ouzoud waterfalls or the Ourika Valley.
- Day 7: a Palmeraie camel ride or shopping before you leave.
You will not see the high dunes of the Sahara, which are too far for a day trip, but you will experience desert, mountains, coast and city with no long transfers.
Tips for planning a week in Morocco
- Choose your priority: the Sahara dunes need at least three days from Marrakech.
- Avoid changing hotel every night for the whole week; two nights in Fes or Marrakech make a real difference.
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; read the best time to visit Morocco.
- Arriving in Casablanca? Our 10-day Grand Morocco tour starts there and adds more time everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
Yes, for a first visit focused on either the desert and the imperial cities, or Marrakech and its surroundings. With 10 days or more you can include both at a relaxed pace.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. All our tours are private, so the route, the pace and the hotels can be adjusted to you.
Do I need a driver?
For a route like this, a private driver saves you navigating mountain roads and medinas, and lets you stop wherever you like.
Plan your week
Book the 7-day tour online and save 10%, with nothing to pay today, or tell us your dates and we will adapt the route to you.
